When you were a child, did you ever have your parents tell you to forgive your sibling or a friend for wronging you? It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. We are all for the idea of forgiveness and reconciliation until we need to extend it ourselves. Sometimes people do or say things that hurt us so deeply that we have every reason not to forgive and make things right with them. What if someone wrongly accused you of doing something? Would you be able to take the high road and forgive them even when you had done no wrong?
This is exactly what Jesus did. He was found guilty of wrongs He never committed, but He chose to forgive those who persecuted Him because He knew they had no idea of the impact of their negative decisions. He never sinned, but took on the sins of the world. Why would someone who never did anything wrong accept the punishment for all the sins for every person in this world? He did this so that we would all have the opportunity to be forgiven by God and reconciled back to Him.
God doesn’t hold our past against us. If we come to Him and admit our sins, asking for forgiveness, He will extend His grace and forgiveness every time. If Jesus was persecuted so harshly—to death—and still forgave those who judged and hung Him on the cross, what does this mean for you and me? Well, two things. First, you have been forgiven and nothing you could ever do will take away God’s love for you. Second, we must forgive.
An unforgiving heart leaves the door open for the enemy to get a foothold in your life. In order to keep the enemy out, you must make a choice not to carry grudges and to extend forgiveness always. This is how we show His love to the world. He forgave you so you must forgive.
Don’t let each day end without forgiving others. What is keeping you from extending forgiveness to everyone around you?
